Internationally acclaimed violinist Alexander Markov will headline the next event in the Downtown Concert Series’ 5th anniversary season on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 7:30 PM. St. Peter’s Church will again lend its historic, intimate setting to present “a bravura violinist in the best tradition”.
Alexander Markov was born in Moscow, studied violin with his father, and by age 8 was already performing double concertos with his teacher. He emigrated to the U.S. and received citizenship in 1982. Awarded a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1987, Mr. Markov made his New York debut recital at Carnegie Hall. Since becoming the Gold Medal winner at the Paganini International Violin Competition, Mr. Markov has appeared as a soloist with some of the world’s most celebrated orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the BBC and Montreal Symphonies, the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, the Budapest Festival Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony.
Mr. Markov has established a reputation second-to-none in the 19th-century virtuoso repertoire. Combining intense passion with extraordinary technical ability, he remains one of the very few violinists in the world who performs the entire set of the 24 Paganini Caprices in a single recital. He is also featured in the internationally-acclaimed film about great violinists “The Art of the Violin,” directed by Bruno Monsaingeon.
Mr. Markov’s musical journey and vision to bridge a gap between classical and rock audiences attracts many young people who would otherwise never go to a symphony. His composition, Rock Concerto, is performed on a new six-string electric violin that offers a unique sound with an enormous dynamic range from soft and sweet to the monstrous and powerful. He performs this crossover epic with his rock band, accompanied by a symphony orchestra and chorus, resulting in concerts that are sold-out weeks in advance.
Lord Yehudi Menuhin wrote, “He is without doubt one of the most brilliant and musical of violinists ….Alexander Markov will certainly leave his mark on the music-lovers of the world and in the annals of the violin virtuosi of our day.”
Tickets for the concerts are $25 and $10 for students 18 years and younger. Seating is limited and tickets should be purchased in advance. The concert will begin at 7:30 pm. A reception honoring the artist will be hosted by Investors Bank (21 West Main Street, Freehold) following the concert.
The Downtown Concert Series is committed to bringing extraordinary musical artists to the intimate and historic venue of St. Peter’s Church located in downtown Freehold at 33 Throckmorton Street, Freehold, New Jersey. For additional information, ticketing, or to join our list of generous sponsors, please visit our website at DowntownConcertSeries.org or call 732~431~8383.
downtownconcertseries.org • info@downtownconcertseries.org
St. Peter’s Church • 33 Throckmorton Street • Freehold, New Jersey 07728 • 732~431~838